Genealogy Gems: News from the Fort Wayne Library, No. 57, November 30, 2008 | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Genealogy Gems (genealogygemsgenealogycenter.info) | |
Date: Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:21:36 -0800 (PST) |
Genealogy Gems: News from the Fort Wayne Library No. 57, November 30, 2008 In this issue: *Giving Gifts that Last *Family Maps *The Draper Manuscript Collection *Preservation Tip of the Month-- Care and Storage of Textiles *WinterTech 2008-2009 Continues *Mark Your Calendars Early for March Madness! *Librarians on Parade *Area Calendar of Events *Driving Directions to the Library *Parking at the Library *Queries for the Department *************************************** Giving Gifts that Last by Curt B. Witcher *************************************** Instead of the commercial "Black Friday" this past November 28th, I hope many of you participated in what I have been calling "Bright Friday"--StoryCorps' first annual "National Day of Listening." We have reported on StoryCorps a number of times over the months in this ezine. It is a great, national, grass-roots project to record the stories of our lives. There are some fantastic clips available on the StoryCorp website <http://www.storycorps.net/>. In addition, all StoryCorps interviews are being archived at the Library of Congress' American Folklife Center, making these special memories and extraordinary stories available for generations of future family historians and descendants of loved ones. Last Friday, StoryCorps brought even more attention to the remarkable act of listening by declaring a "National Day of Listening." StoryCorps appealed to all of us on their NationalDayOfListening.org website: "This holiday season, ask the people around you about their lives--it could be your grandmother, a teacher, or someone from the neighborhood. By listening to their stories, you will be telling them that they matter and they won't ever be forgotten. It may be the most meaningful time you spend this year." I could not have said it better, nor could I agree more. If you missed your opportunity to turn "Black Friday" into "Bright Friday" on November 28th, commit to spending at least one day this holiday season listening to the stories of family members and recording those stories. As the book by StoryCorps of the same title says, listening *is* an act of love--and a great way to ensure that precious pieces of your family history are around for your children's children. If you're looking for an affordable yet valuable gift for your genealogy friends in addition to sharing stories, I recommend to you a new title published in the second half of this year by FamilyLink.com, Inc. entitled, "Google Your Family Tree: Unlock the Hidden Power of Google." It is written by Daniel Lynch, a marketing and technology consultant who has also been an active genealogist since the late 1970s. He combined his familiarity with genealogy and his comfort with contemporary technology--and Google in particular--to craft this work. In fourteen chapters and five appendices, Dan does a remarkable job clearly detailing how to more effectively use Google to get the results you want when searching the Internet. I am particularly fond of one of the slogans on his webpage: "Spend less time searching--more time evaluating results." This recent work helps one accomplish that. Though the entire work is well-done and most worthwhile, I am particularly appreciative of chapters three, five, and fourteen on advanced search techniques, Google Books, and other tips and tricks respectively. When discussing Google commands in the advanced search techniques chapter, Dan not only defines the command, clearly indicates how it is applied, and provides a screen-shot of the application, he further comments under each command about its "special relevance to genealogists." One can't ask for more than that. In the chapter on Google Books, Dan not only gives clear advice on searching and navigating this resource, he also articulates some shortcomings that he hopes will be corrected in the future. And with tips and tricks, I just enjoy reading and playing with that great category of "other things" one can do with Google. The pictures throughout the text are inviting and the plentiful screen-shots ensure that even the most visual learners can use this work to enhance techniques and success. It is particularly worthy of note that one can use this compilation as a workbook, opened to the relevant section and right next to you as you're doing your genealogy-related Google searching. The book can be ordered online at www.GoogleYourFamilyTree.com. Those who receive this book as a holiday gift will not only be smiling at Christmas time, but throughout the year as well. *************************************** Family Maps by Melissa Shimkus *************************************** Searching for land patents issued by the United States government is easy thanks to the General Land Office of the Bureau of Land Management website (http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/). An additional valuable source is the series of books produced by Arphax Publishing and Gregory Alan Boyd titled "Family Maps of…" Each volume in this ongoing series focuses on an individual county. Although not yet complete, the series already features 363 titles for the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. All are available in the Genealogy Center. Each book begins with a useful introduction and general maps showing the county's location within the state and in the context of neighboring counties, as well as maps depicting townships, cities and towns, and cemeteries. A general surname index leads you to a "map group" for the township of interest, where you will find details on each land patent in that township as well a map outlining the location of each patent. Once you locate your ancestor on the patent map, it is easy to see which individuals obtained patents on neighboring parcels of land. The map group for each township also includes a road map and an historical map showing waterways, cemeteries, and railroads. The surname/township index in "Family Maps of Holmes County, Florida" (call number 975.901 H73BO), for example, references two parcels of land for the Moore family in Township 4-N Range 14-W or map group 22. The index to land patents in the section for map group 22 provides details. Elizabeth and John E. Moore had a patent issued on February 21, 1893 for the southwest quarter of section 10, with a portion located in Washington County. The patent map shows that the property of Elizabeth and John is bounded to the north by that of George W. Moore, who received his land patent on the same date. Based on the information gleaned from this book, we now have a specific location for the family's land, another individual to research, and a legal description to extend our property records search. The "Family Maps" series by Gregory Alan Boyd is an excellent source for land patents in the United States. It provides easy to use indexes and visuals that make researching land patents simple. Genealogists will garner valuable family property information as well as leads for additional research. *************************************** The Draper Manuscript Collection by Steven W. Myers *************************************** The State Historical Society of Wisconsin's Draper Manuscript Collection is a unique research source that should interest many American family historians. Assembled by Lyman Copeland Draper, the manuscripts focus on the history of the so-called "Trans-Allegheny West" in the period between the French and Indian War and the War of 1812 (ca. 1755-1815). Although Draper's many intended publishing projects never materialized, he succeeded in gathering a massive amount of source material for future historians through his extensive interviewing and collecting. The results provide an equally important source for genealogists with links to early settlers in the entire Ohio River valley, as well as in the western Carolinas and Virginia, portions of Georgia and Alabama, and parts of the Mississippi River valley. The manuscripts are largely Draper's research notes and correspondence, but also contain an assortment of legal documents, maps, diaries, family and personal records, business records, land records, court martial lists, muster rolls, order books, and extracts from newspapers and other publications. Draper's notes and collected documents are especially rich on the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, as well as on Indian conflicts in the intervening period. Organized into 491 volumes in 50 series, the complete collection is also available on microfilm in 100 American research libraries including the Genealogy Center. Using this valuable resource does take some investment of time, since there is no complete index, but Josephine Harper's detailed "Guide to the Draper Manuscripts" (call number 016.978 H23g) provides a good starting point. In addition to detailed descriptions of each manuscript volume's contents and a general index, useful appendices include an index to Revolutionary War pension applicants, an index to the names of authors, cartographers, correspondents and interviewees, and an extensive inventory of maps present in the collection. Separate, detailed calendars of each document in several series of the Draper Manuscripts have also been published, providing researchers with other useful indexes to at least portions of the collection. Those in print can be found on the Genealogy Center's microtext guides shelves, while calendars for series J, U, CC, DD, QQ, SS, TT, UU, VV, XX, and ZZ are all available on microfiche in cabinet F-4. Several documentary volumes based on the Draper Manuscripts should also prove useful to researchers and can be identified in the online catalog under the names of the respective authors: Reuben Gold Thwaites, Louise Phelps Kellogg and Jared C. Lobdell. In addition, Karen Green has produced "Index to the Draper Manuscripts: Series NN, The Pittsburgh and Northwest Virginia Papers" (call number 973 D79c). For those who find it difficult to use microfilm, the Genealogy Center also has a printout of the entire Draper Manuscript Collection in bound volumes at call number 973 D79. One example should suffice to prove the unique value of this important collection. The index to Draper's interviewees in the appendix to Harper's "Guide" references several individuals named Sprott in volume 19 of Series S, Draper's Notes. Draper had interviewed the children of Scots-Irishman John Sprott and provides biographical details as background for his interview notes. In these he writes that John was "born in Co. Down on January 2d 1760" and that his "father Thomas Sprott migrated to Pennsylvania in 1763." Both of these facts have not been found documented in any other source. Perhaps you can solve your own research problem using the Draper Manuscript Collection. *************************************** Preservation Tip of the Month--Care and Storage of Textiles by Becky Schipper *************************************** Textiles we value come in many different forms--wedding dresses, baptismal gowns, military uniforms, quilts, and samplers are a few that come to mind. Textiles should be stored in a stable environment. They should be protected from extremes of heat and humidity. They should not be exposed to light. If at all possible, textiles should be cleaned before storing. Sturdy colorfast items can be hand washed with mild detergent. Allow them to air dry. If there is doubt regarding the content of the fibers or if the item is fragile, consult a conservator rather than cleaning it yourself. Storage of the textile depends on the size and strength of the item. *Flat storage is appropriate for small items. Items should be placed in acid free-boxes. *Rolled storage is for items that are too large to be stored flat. Roll the item carefully, using acid-free tissue to support the folds and layers. Wrap with muslin and tie with acid-free string at the top, bottom, and middle sections of the roll. *Hanging storage is not recommended, but if you must hang an item always use a padded hanger and wrap muslin around it to protect it from light and dust. Do not use plastic garment bags as they can decompose over time and harm the item stored inside. *************************************** WinterTech 2008-2009 Continues by Melissa Shimkus and Delia Bourne *************************************** Remember, our WinterTech series continues on December 10th at 2:30 p.m. with Melissa Shimkus and "Searching Ancestry.com." Melissa will demonstrate the use of this extremely popular database. Join her in Meeting Room A to learn how to improve your search strategies. Then on January 14, 2009, Cynthia Theusch will offer a "WeRelate.org Overview," and finally, Don Litzer will remind you that online genealogical searching is "Not Just Ancestry" on February 11. Keep track of the dates by checking http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/WinterTech.pdf . And remember that these are scheduled in the afternoons of the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana's monthly meetings, held at 7 p.m. Please call 260-421-1225 to register for a WinterTech program, or email your registration to Genealogy [at] ACPL.info . *************************************** Mark Your Calendars Early for March Madness! by Melissa Shimkus and Delia Bourne *************************************** We will have our third annual "March Madness, Genealogy Style" week of programs March 1 through 7, 2007: **Sun March 1 at 1:00 p.m. Melissa Shimkus presents "Southern Lore." **Mon, March 2 at 2:00 p.m. Don Litzer demonstrates "Family Search Labs." **Tues, March 3 at 10:00 a.m. Cynthia Theusch describes "Civilian Conservation Corps, 1933-1942." **Wed, March 4 from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The Daughters of the American Revolution provide Research Assistance for Membership. **Thurs, March 5 at 2:00 p.m. John Beatty explains "Evaluating Published Family Histories." **Fri, March 6 at 10:00 a.m. Delia Bourne offers "Tech Time." **Sat, March 7 at 10:00 a.m. Sara Patalita presents "Using Flickr to Document Your Genealogy." Keep an eye on our Special Programs website http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/programs.html for class descriptions and registration information. *************************************** Librarians on Parade *************************************** Curt Witcher February 29, 2009--Whittier Area Genealogical Society Seminar, Greenleaf Masonic Temple, 7604 Greenleaf Avenue, Whittier, CA, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. "Doing Effective Genealogical Research in Libraries," "Using Periodical Literature for Genealogical Research," "Pain in the Access: Getting More from the Internet for Your Genealogy," and "All That Other Stuff!: Other Census Records Beyond Federal Population Schedules" Steve Myers December 10, 2008--Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana, Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN, Meeting Room C, 7 p.m. Topic: "The National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections" Melissa Shimkus December 10, 2008--Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN, Meeting Room C, 2:30 p.m. Topic: "Searching Ancestry.com" January 10, 2009--Detroit Society for Genealogical Research, Christ Church, Cranbrook, 470 Church Street, Bloomfield Hills, MI, 2 p.m. Topic: "Discovering Your Female Ancestors. Cynthia Theusch January 14, 2009--Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN, Meeting Room A, 2:30 p. m. Topic: "A WeRelate.org Overview" *************************************** Area Calendar of Events *************************************** Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana (ACGSI) December 10, 2008 at 7 p.m. (social time begins at 6:30 p.m.) at the Allen County Public Library's Main Library, 900 Library Plaza, Meeting Room C. Steve Myers will present "The National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections." Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society, 302 East Berry, Ft. Wayne, IN No December lecture. The Festival of Gingerbread program--November 28-December 14, 2008. *************************************** Driving Directions to the Library *************************************** Wondering how to get to the library? Our location is 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the block bordered on the south by Washington Boulevard, the west by Ewing Street, the north by Wayne Street, and the east by the Library Plaza, formerly Webster Street. We would enjoy having you visit the Genealogy Center. To get directions from your exact location to 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana, visit this link at MapQuest: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=900%20Webster%20St&city=Fort%20Wayne&state=IN&zipcode=46802%2d3602&country=US&geodiff=1 >From the South Exit Interstate 69 at exit 102. Drive east on Jefferson Boulevard into downtown. Turn left on Ewing Street. The Library is one block north, at Ewing Street and Washington Boulevard. Using US 27: US 27 turns into Lafayette Street. Drive north into downtown. Turn left at Washington Boulevard and go five blocks. The Library will be on the right. >From the North Exit Interstate 69 at exit 112. Drive south on Coldwater Road, which merges into Clinton Street. Continue south on Clinton to Washington Boulevard. Turn right on Washington and go three blocks. The Library will be on the right. >From the West Using US 30: Drive into town on US 30. US 30 turns into Goshen Ave. which dead-ends at West State Blvd. Make an angled left turn onto West State Blvd. Turn right on Wells Street. Go south on Wells to Wayne Street. Turn left on Wayne Street. The Library will be in the second block on the right. Using US 24: After crossing under Interstate 69, follow the same directions as from the South. >From the East Follow US 30/then 930 into and through New Haven, under an overpass into downtown Fort Wayne. You will be on Washington Blvd. when you get into downtown. Library Plaza will be on the right. *************************************** Parking at the Library *************************************** At the Library, underground parking can be accessed from Wayne Street. Other library parking lots are at Washington and Webster, and Wayne and Webster. Hourly parking is $1 per hour with a $7 maximum. ACPL library card holders may use their cards to validate the parking ticket at the west end of the Great Hall of the Library. Out of county residents may purchase a subscription card with proof of identification and residence. The current fee for an Individual Subscription Card is $70. Public lots are located at the corner of Ewing and Wayne Streets ($1 each for the first two half-hours, $1 per hour after, with a $4 per day maximum) and the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Harrison Street ($3 per day). Street (metered) parking on Ewing and Wayne Streets. On the street you plug the meters 8am – 5pm, weekdays only. It is free to park on the street after 5pm and on the weekends. Visitor center/Grand Wayne Center garage at Washington and Clinton Streets. This is the Hilton Hotel parking lot that also serves as a day parking garage. For hourly parking, 7am – 11 pm, charges are .50 for the first 45 minutes, then $1.00 per hour. There is a flat $2.00 fee between 5pm and 11pm. *************************************** Genealogy Center Queries *************************************** The Genealogy Center hopes you find this newsletter interesting. Thank you for subscribing. We cannot, however, answer personal research emails written to the e-zine address. The department houses a Research Center that makes photocopies and conducts research for a fee. If you have a general question about our collection, or are interested in the Research Center, please telephone the library and speak to a librarian who will be glad to answer your general questions or send you a research center form. Our telephone number is 260-421-1225. If you'd like to email a general information question about the department, please email: Genealogy [at] ACPL.Info. *************************************** Publishing Note: *************************************** This electronic newsletter is published by the Allen County Public Library's Genealogy Center, and is intended to enlighten readers about genealogical research methods as well as inform them about the vast resources of the Allen County Public Library. We welcome the wide distribution of this newsletter and encourage readers to forward it to their friends and societies. All precautions have been made to avoid errors. However, the publisher does not assume any liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, no matter the cause. To subscribe to "Genealogy Gems," simply use your browser to go to the website: www.GenealogyCenter.Info. Scroll down toward the bottom of the first screen where it says, "Enter Your Email Address to Subscribe to "Genealogy Gems." Enter your email address in the yellow box and click on "Subscribe." You will be notified with a confirmation email. If you do not want to receive this e-zine, please follow the link at the very bottom of the issue of GenealogyGems you just received or send an email to kspears [at] acpl.lib.in.us with "unsubscribe e-zine" in the subject line. Steve Myers & Curt Witcher, co-editors
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